The home and the synagogue

The home is an important base for Jewish religion and culture. The many rituals and the objects used, especially belong at home. Thus, the synagogue has a less essential role than the church has in Christianity.

The Jewish service is not centred on preaching, but is a collective event created by the congregation. On the Sabbath, reading from Torah scrolls is the central element, and many members of the congregation are involved in taking out the scrolls, reading them aloud, carrying the scrolls in procession and putting them away again - all accompanied by special texts and blessings. The rabbis' Danish sermons in the synagogue in Krystalgade are a modern addition to the traditional service, which could actually be carried out without the presence of a rabbi.

The synagogue

The synagogue is first and foremost a meeting place, so participating in a service in the synagogue does not have to be an indication of faith; many people go there for social reasons, and people normally talk quite a lot during the service. The experience you get from the religious service is absolutely individual, at the same time as the service brings people together.